CHICAGO - Chicago Slam Works (CSW) proudly presents "Dead or Alive Battle Royale of Slam Poetry Supremacy for All Eternity" ("Dead or Alive") on December 5, 12 and 19, 2012 at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Directed by Artistic Director J.W. Basilo, "Dead or Alive" presents some of the greatest poets of history to compete with Chicago's finest modern poets in a mock slam. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14 and free parking is available. For tickets or information visit www.chicagoslamworks.com or call

"After years of hearing that 'modern poets can't measure up to the greats' and 'those old poets aren't exciting like the modern slammers,' we decided to settle the debate once and for all," said Artistic Director J.W. Basilo. "Join us as some of Chicago's best actors take on some of the city's hottest performance poets. We don't who will win, but we can guarantee a night of terrific poetry and amazing performances."

The Dec. 12 performance of "Dead or Alive" is preceded by the first annual "Slammin' in the Footlights" benefit to celebrate CSW's new home at the Raven Theatre and to raise awareness of CSW programs. Proceeds raised will help support CSW's "Poets with Class" program, dedicated to having professional poets teach slam techniques in Chicago Public Schools. "Slammin' in the Footlights" begins at 7 p.m. and includes wine, appetizers, meeting some poets and the performance. Benefit tickets are $50.

CSW's season continues March 13, 20 and 27, 2013 with "In Motion". Poets ranging from Marty McConnell to Basilo will pen poems inspired by a piece of choreographed dance by Chicago Danztheatre, Chicago Tap Theater and Dance Crash. The season concludes with "In Any Tongue", a unique collaborative performance by the Chicago's own Speak'Easy Ensemble and Germany's top poets, Friday August 2 and Saturday, August 3, 2013.

For over 25 years, Marc Smith has hosted the "Uptown Poetry Slam", where the international slam poetry movement began. This exciting and boisterous evening celebrates poetry and poets - both up-and-coming and established. The "Uptown Poetry Slam" runs every Sundays at 7 p.m. at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway.

The "Encyclopedia Show" is a live variety extravaganza hosted by performance artists Robbie Q. Telfer and Shanny Jean Maney. The show brings artists and experts from many disciplines to use their individual talents to present a different verbal encyclopedia entry each month. The show cultivates accidental knowledge and irreverent loving kindness. The show strives to chafe against logic and proof, find meaning in obfuscation, and wrest truth from fact once and for all. The Encyclopedia Show is performed the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble.

Patrons to Chicago Slam Works 2012-13 season may purchase a "Slam Pass", which includes discounted tickets to performances as well as tickets to the weekly "Uptown Poetry Slam" and the high-energy monthly "Encyclopedia Show".

Chicago Slam Works presents "Dead or Alive" December 5, 12 and 19, 2012. at 8 p.m. at the Raven Theater, 6157 N. Clark Street. Tickets for the "Slammin in the Footlights" benefit are $50.

CSW's upcoming performances include "In Motion", March 13, 20 and 27, 2013 and the season concludes with "In Any Tongue", August 2 and 3, 2013. Tickets are $14 with student and senior discounts available. Free parking is also available.For all tickets or information visit www.chicagoslamworks.com or call 847-556-8679.

About Chicago Slam Works

Chicago Slam Works (CSW) is rooted in the Poetry Slam movement, which began in Chicago as a highly entertaining, interactive, innovative poetic experience and spread around the world to become a major force in stirring the minds of students, scholars, and everyday people. The founding members of CSW are pillars of the international movement and the organizational force behind dozens of major poetic events in and around Chicago-as well as the world including three National Poetry Slam Championships.

Mission: Building on Chicago's unique heritage as the birthplace of modern-day performance poetry, Chicago Slam Works brings together audiences, poets, and arts organizations to promote well-crafted performance poetry through event production.

Windy City Media Group does not approve or necessarily agree with the views posted below.
Please do not post letters to the editor here. Please also be civil in your dialogue.
If you need to be mean, just know that the longer you stay on this page, the more you help us.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transegender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.